Surprising Celebrity Cousins
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift may have been destined for country greatness: Her 15th cousin, once removed, is widely considered the Queen of Country Music. Taylor Swift and Reba McEntire are cousins, Kelly Clarkson marrying Reba's step-son,
Ben Affleck
Ben doesn't just share talent, dashing good looks, and an impressive acting résumé with his 10th cousin, once removed -- they also share an Oscar. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are cousins, Best Writing for Good Will Hunting,
Justin Bieber
The wee pop star has an army of fans, and apparently, a small army of famous cousins too! Hey, girl, can you guess which Hollywood heartthrob is Justin's 11th cousin, once removed? Justin Bieber and Ryan Gosling are cousins, Justin Bieber and Avril Lavigne are cousins,
Lady Gaga
One reason the Mother Monster has been so successful in her rise to the top of the pop charts may be that she's actually the ninth cousin, once removed, of the Queen of Pop. Lady Gaga and Madonna are cousins, "Express Yourself" vs. "Born This Way",
Tom Cruise
Before Tom changed his name and became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, he shared the same last name as his actor cousin, who happened to star on "Lost." Tom Cruise and William Mapother are cousins, William Mapother in Magnolia and Vanilla Sky,
Gwyneth Paltrow
Gwyneth's husband is a rock star and her parents are Hollywood big timers, actress Blythe Danner and director Bruce Paltrow, but those aren't the only famous names on her family tree. Her cousin starred in "The L Word" and "Three Rivers." Gwyneth Paltrow and Katherine Moennig are cousins, Gwyneth Paltrow and Gabrielle Giffords are cousins,
Hilary and Haylie Duff
The celebrity sisters have experienced their share of on-screen success, but their distant cousin is an Emmy-winning journalist -- and one of television's biggest stars. Hilary and Haylie Duff are cousins with Katie Couric, Hilary Duff's husband Mike Comrie,
Brad Pitt
The Jolie-Pitt clan may strive to do their part when it comes to being politically involved, but their efforts don't even come close to the civic duty performed by Brad's ninth cousin. Brad Pitt and Barack Obama are cousins, Edwin Hickman, mutual ancestor of Pitt and Obama,
Angelina Jolie
Brad isn't the only member of the family who's related to a major American politico. Angie's ninth cousin is a former FLOTUS -- and that's not the biggest accomplishment on her résumé! Angelina Jolie and Hillary Rodham Clinton are cousins, Jean Cusson is Jolie and Clinton's mutual ancestor,
Johnny Depp
Johnny may be Hollywood royalty, but apparently he shares the same bloodline as an actual royal family across the pond. Johnny Depp and Queen Elizabeth II are cousins, 500 years ago, Johnny Depp's family were royalty,
Melissa McCarthy
Comedy clearly runs in the McCarthy family! Long before Melissa was a household name, her gorgeous cousin -- who happens to be a Playboy cover model too! -- was cracking us up with her bimbo humor. Melissa McCarthy and Jenny McCarthy are cousins,
Kevin Bacon
When Kevin appeared on the TV special "Finding Your Roots," he discovered he was the distant cousin of someone with whom he shares a much closer bond. Maybe that explains his attraction to this actress. Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick are cousins,
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen and this famous face may be related, but somehow the TV host's name was left off the invite list when her 15th cousin tied the knot in front of 1,900 guests -- and most of the world -- on April 29, 2011. Ellen Degeneres and Duchess Kate Middleton are cousins, Ellen and Kate Middleton related through Sir Thomas Fairfax,
Nicolas Cage
Before he was known as Nic Cage, the actor shared the same last name as one of Hollywood's first families. His cousin, who happens to be one of the most acclaimed female directors in the business, nabbed an Oscar for Best Writing, Original Screenplay for "Lost in Translation." Nicolas Cage and Sofia Coppola are cousins, Nicolas Cage and Jason Schwartzman are cousins,
Brooke Shields
The model-actress may be one of Hollywood's brightest stars, but her acting résumé's got nothing on that of her second cousin, once removed. Brooke's actress cousin has been nominated for six Oscars -- yet has never won. Brooke Shields and Glenn Close are cousins, Glenn Close nominated for Albert Nobbs,
Brandy and Ray J
The celebrity siblings aren't the only members of their family to achieve success in the music biz. Their first cousin is one of the biggest rappers ever to grace the airwaves -- though he's recently reinvented himself as a reggae artist. Brandy and Ray J are Snoop Lion's cousins, "Special" by Snoop Dogg feat. Brandy,
Conan O'Brien
Conan may only be related to this "Rescue Me" star via marriage, but the third cousins still share the same gingery complexion and strawberry locks. Conan O'Brien and Denis Leary are cousins, Denis Leary's wife is novelist Ann Lembeck Leary,
Lenny Kravitz
Lenny may have already known, but we were totally shocked when this "Today" host revealed during an interview with the rocker that he and Lenny are third cousins. Lenny Kravitz and Al Roker are cousins, Lenny Kravitz's mom is Roxie Roker,
Melissa Gorga
If tension continues to escalate between Melissa and her "Real Housewives of New Jersey" co-star and sister-in-law Teresa Guidice, she may be able to call upon her actor cousin to teach her a few karate moves for self-defense. Melissa Gorga and Ralph Macchio are cousins,
Ludacris
Music runs in this family! Even though Luda and his R&B crooner cousin aren't technically related by blood (her mom married his uncle), she still refers to the rapper as her cousin. Ludacris and Monica are cousins,
Danny and Chris Masterson
Danny cut his acting chops on "That '70s Show" while Chris found fame on "Malcolm in the Middle." Their little cousin has become one of television's highest-paid child stars on another popular sitcom. Angus T. Jones is Chris and Danny Masterson's cousin, Danny Masterson is DJ Mom Jeans,
Sissy Spacek
Before she was a six-time Oscar nominee, the "Carrie" actress's first cousin helped her enroll in Strasberg's Actors Studio in New York. cousins Sissy Spacek Rip Torn, Chloe Grace Moretz in "Carrie" reboot,
